Sean Rigg died while being held in custody.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission made a series of basic mistakes in investigating the death of a man at Brixton Police Station, according to a new review.
Schizophrenic Sean Rigg, 40, died in custody in 2008. He was restrained and arrested after walking topless in the road whilst performing martial arts moves and reportedly attacking another man.
An IPCC report originally ruled out disciplinary action for the police, but an independent review was ordered after an inquest found officers used ‘unsuitable force’.
Mr Rigg’s family described the original report as ‘extremely poor and ineffective.’
“It was difficult for us understanding why they couldn’t interview the officers and we had to make a complaint. It took seven months before they actually took officers’ statements,” his sister Marcia told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
The new report, led by criminologist Dr Silvia Casale, recommends that based on the evidence following the inquest the PCC should reconsider the conduct of the police officers involved in the apprehension, restraint and detention of Mr Rigg.
It also said that the IPPC made basic mistakes including failing to properly investigate CCTV footage at the police station, and not reconsidering claims by four officers that they didn’t know Mr Rigg was mentally ill despite his benhaviour and past contact with the police.
The IPCC report concluded there was no evidence to contradict the officers’ account that they had not realised Mr Rigg was mentally ill.
Dr Casale’s report concluded: “The review considers that there was ample evidence at the time to suggest that this assertion was improbable.”
Photo courtesy of 2b3n4m5q7, with thanks.
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